Chapter 27: Semma

“I never experienced anything like this before either. Without Elder Jinno’s help, I probably wouldn’t have survived to this day, let alone write this diary. The map to Sagirimiyama’s Defiled Temple and the method to acquire the Wooden Buddha Statue are all recorded in my diary. You must fulfill my instructions within half a month to ensure your safety…”

The diary didn’t contain much after that, only mentioning how Feng Jing could relieve the Curse. Besides, he left a small sandalwood prayer beads bracelet. It was specifically intended for whoever read this diary.

“In the Oxford Temple District of Semma City, where Sagirimiyama lies, the head priest of Kinzawa Temple is an old friend of Elder Jinno. To enter Sagirimiyama, it’s best to find someone familiar with the mountain. Take this sandalwood prayer beads bracelet and tell them Elder Jinno sent you. The head priest may help you find a guide into the mountains.”

Semma City neighbored Kitsuwa City. Calculating roughly, even with an express train, the round trip took considerable time.

“According to the diary, traveling to and from the mountains would need at least three days…”

Fang Jing figured this trip would cost money. He wasn’t sure if his savings covered travel expenses.

“The ‘Defiled Temple’ that Uncle Yuasa mentioned is probably in the mountains. I’ll need to prepare.”

He got off the bed, grabbed a random piece of paper, and listed what he needed.

“Travel fees, plus essential items for the mountains—added together, it’s a significant expense. Where could I get the money?”

Fang Jing sighed. Suddenly, he slapped his thigh.

“Oh right! I forgot about the situation at Kyogado. That ‘Wooden Buddha Statue’ is still held by the store manager, Hatakena Gensai…”

He remembered leaving the item at Kyogado for consignment sale. Maybe he could ask Hatakena Gensai for an advance payment.

Without overthinking, he made the call immediately.

Fang Jing wasn’t sure how Hatakena Gensai might react, but needing money urgently, he got straight to the point.

Surprisingly, Hatakena Gensai agreed readily. He promised Fang Jing about 200,000 yen. He’d already discussed it with a wealthy collector who loved Kinugawa’s works and planned to buy the wooden carving soon but was currently away and unable to travel.

This was great news for Fang Jing.

He’d worried about lacking funds for the Semma trip. Now with 200,000 yen added, he felt relieved.

“Still… Ms. Kyoko gave that Wooden Buddha Statue to me. Selling it feels kind of inappropriate…”

Just forget it. After all, his purpose going to the “Defiled Temple” was to retrieve several Kinugawa-made Wooden Buddha Statues and bring them back to the Apartment.

Uncle Yuasa probably had done this before.

“Not sure if it’s dangerous, but I can’t refuse this trip.”

Fang Jing understood better than anyone. Being proactive, he acted quickly.

“Time’s tight. Today’s Thursday. I’ll arrange two days off from school, and skip Saturday since it’s a school day off. The weekend clears up…”

Next, he needed to find Satsuki to help cover for him. His mother, Motoko, worked on weekends. Returning by Sunday shouldn’t be a problem.

After considering these details, Fang Jing decided on the trip to Semma City.

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Semma City rested near the Shikoku region, close to waters around Shikoku. Since ancient times, Buddhist pilgrims used it to travel towards Shikoku’s eighty-eight sacred sites.

This convenience gradually built Semma into a trading town. Official records stated—”During the Genna and Kan’ei periods, over one hundred households formed a merchant block initially named Semma Shōchō.”

Simply put, pilgrim crowds attracted residents, creating a commercial district. With many merchants and pilgrims present, numerous inns naturally developed.

Unfortunately, geography limited growth. Later receding tides exposed sands, transforming the land.

Following the Meiji Restoration and reforms across Japan under district systems, Semma Shōchō merged with surrounding regions to become Semma City.

Semma City itself held little uniqueness apart from its proximity to Shikoku’s shrines. Many “branch temples (matsuji) stood there.

Branch temples belonged to prestigious parent temples—grand headquarter temples called honzan then split into matsuji. Finer divisions existed: são-matsu, hiko-matsu, choku-matsu.

“Semma” itself played as a pun. It meant “connection and control (sesshou to masshou)” reflecting hierarchies: temples controlled by believers, main temples controlling branch ones, large headquarter temples governing faction temples, and governing bodies commanding nationwide temples. “Controlled” implied rule or jurisdiction. Changing to “Semma” likely sounded better… Fang Jing closed his “Semma Travel Guide”; the pamphlet sat on the train, promoting local tourism. With recent economic struggles shrinking tourism significantly, plus Semma being just a small town of 600,000 people and not a famous destination, decline was inevitable.

“Uncle Yuasa advised well. I really don’t know much about Sagirimiyama. ‘Defiled Temple’ sounds entirely new. According to the diary, it’s inside deep mountains though.”

…Deep mountains, a temple, a Curse—by all signs, this trip wouldn’t be easy. Uncle Yuasa’s diary message worried him too.

“About the ‘Defiled Temple’, there’s little I need to say. You’ll understand when you go. Just remember—you may encounter strange things, but ignore them. Just accomplish your task.”

It sounded simple, but Fang Jing felt uneasy. “Strange things?” At least give him a clue!

But no way to revive the dead; such thoughts lingered vaguely.

“Thinking about it… the guide who helped Uncle Yuasa reach the ‘Defiled Temple’ should be Elder Jinno—Ms. Kyoko’s ‘Kyogado’s Master Jinno’.”